Cosmetic container or the like



Se t. 29, 1970 w.- LANDEN COSMETIC CONTAINER OR THE'LI'KE Filed March 19, 1968 Tl/ll/l/ United States Patent O 3,531,212 COSMETIC CONTAINER OR THE LIKE William James Landen, Cheshire, Conn., assignor to The International Silver Company, Meriden, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Mar. 19, 1968, Ser. No. 714,244 Int. Cl. A45d 40/06 US. Cl. 40175 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention contemplates application to a propelrepel construction in which inner and outer tubular members are rotatable to selectively propel and repel a carrier which is guided within the inner tubular member. To minimize the number of parts the propulsion is achieved by cam and follower means involving direct engagement between the carrier and the two rotatable tubular members. But to permit maximum flexibility in the application of external decorative effects, the propulsion mechanism avoids any reliance upon the wall of the outer tubular member.

This invention relates to an improved cosmetic container or the like, of the propel-repel variety.

In the cosmetic-container business there is a constant conflict between (a) the need for luxurious external appearance, suggestive of exclusivity, and (b) the need to keep down the cost of producing such an appearance. In such containers wherein the external parts are of plastic construction, it is always possible to make a separate mold for each desired ornamental configuration, but this is prohibitively expensive unless enormous production runs are contemplated; and, of course, such large runs destroy the exclusivity element which is desired.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an improved container construction avoiding the abovenoted deficiencies.

Another object is to provide an improved container construction which may be treated as basic, lending itself to a variety of ornamental finishing treatments to achieve a corresponding variety of different exclusive-looking Another specific object is to achieve the foregoing objects with a basic construction of fewest parts, requiring no secondary operations for assembly.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, a preferred form of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a container of the invention, with the carrier in retracted position;

FIG. 2 is a similar but partly sectioned view, showing the inner tubular member in elevation and with the carrier in projected position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective, view of the container parts, partly broken-away and partly sectioned; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are enlarged sectional views taken at 4-4 and 5-5 in FIG. 1.

Briefly stated, the invention contemplates application to a propel-repel construction in which inner and outer tubular members are rotatable to selectively propel and repel a carrier which is guided within the inner tubular member. To minimize the number of parts the propulsion is achieved by cam and follower means involving direct engagement between the carrier and the two rotatable tubular members. But to permit maximum flexibility in the application of external decorative effects, the propulsion mechanism avoids any reliance upon the Wall of the outer tubular member.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown in application to an all-plastic container construction involving an outer tubular member 10, an inner tubular member 11, a carrier cup 12, and a closure cap 13. These are the four parts of the container construction, and no secondary operations are required to complete their assembly, all parts being of molded plastic in the form shown.

The tubular members 10-11 are axially located for relative rotation at a circumferential groove 14 in the bore 15 of the outer tubular member 10, by outwardly projecting means 16. Means 16 is shown as a circumferential flange on the base end of the inner tubular member 11, engaging in the groove 14. Thus, the normal assembled relationship of the inner and outer tubular members is such as to establish an axially located substantial external projection of the inner tubular member 11 beyond the open axial end 17 of the outer tubular member 10. For smooth action, plural angularly spaced elongated ribs or ridges 18 are formed on the outer cylindrical surface of member 11, to ride the bore of the outer tubular member 10 near the open end 17. Light frictional contact of these ridges at this part of the bore assure against axial play and sufliciently stabilize the projecting end of the inner tubular member 11 to give a comfortable feel to the relative rotation action of the container. Preferably, these ridges 18 extend beyond the open end 17 for similar light frictional stablizing engagement with the closure cap 13 when the same is placed over the open end of the container.

As briefly indicated above, the propulsion mechanism avoids any reliance upon the inner wall 15 of the outer tubular member 10. Nevertheless, propulsion results from a cam-and-follower relationship between the tubular members 10-11 and the carrier 12. This is done without adding to the parts, but merely by making the cam and follower elements integral with the three operative parts which have been identified at 1041-12. Thus, propulsion mechanism may include a first pair or set of elements directly engaging the carrier 12 to the inner tubular member 11, and a second pair of elements similarly directly relating the carrier to the outer tubular member 10. The first of these elemental relationships is, in the form shown, established between a cam follower 20 integrally formed as a radially outward projection at the base end of the carrier cup 12, and extending into operative engagement with a spiral cam groove 21 formed in the inner wall of the inner tubular member 11. The spiral of cam 21 is shown extending the substantial length of the bore of the inner tubular member 11, and having a straight axial exit or opening at the base end of the inner tubular mem ber 11; at the other end of the spiral groove or cam 21, namely, at the location shown in FIG. 2 for determining an upper limit of carrier propulsion, this groove 21 is preferably closed. It will be appreciated that for purposes of stabilizing the propulsion of the carrier, the cam follower 20 is provided in duplicate at diametrically opposed locations so that a similar spiral groove or cam 21, in phase-displaced relation with the cam 21, may be formed in the inner wall of the inner tubular member 11, and is otherwise the same as the groove 21.

The remainder of the cam and follower construction for effecting carrier propulsion involves cooperating elements of the carrier 12 and the outer tubular member 10. These are shown as telescoping parts 22 (formed integrally with the carrier 12) and 23 (formed integrally with the outer tubular member The part 22 of carrier 12 is an elongated rod extending at least the length of travel for the carrier 12, and received in the bore of a hollow stem 23 integral with the bottom of the outer tubular member 10. The parts 22-23 have keyed engagement so as to assure free longitudinal sliding, but nonrotative, cooperation. Thus, rotation imparted to the assembled container by way of the outer tubular member 10, directly imparts rotation to the carrier 12 itself, and this rotary movement is caused to react with retention (or other relative rotation) of the outer tubular member 11, in order to effect propulsion due to engagement at -21.

It has been explained above that the outer wall of the outer tubular member 10 is preferably straight and smoothly cylindrical for essentially its full length, so as to render the construction adaptable to receive any selected one of a plurality of ultimate decorative finishing steps. For example, should intaglio or relief finishes be desired in the outer wall of the outer tubular member 10, the substantial radial clearance between the stem 23 and the bore of the tubular member 10 permits simple insertion of a backing tool to receive the thrust of a corresponding external die for impressing the desired finish contour on the cylindrical wall of member 10. Preferably, the uniform bore diameter of member 10 applies for the full length thereof, except for the interruption at groove 14, and the groove 14 is preferred to other forms of.

shoulder which might involve smaller radii at the open end of the outer tubular member 10. Thus, the effectively continuous nature of the bore of member 10 facilitates smooth and simple insertion of the backing tool for the die.

It has also been briefly indicated above that no secondary operations are required to accomplish assembly a of the container of the invention. This is achieved by so dimensioning the radial projection 16 as to accomplish a firm interference-fit with the open end 17 of the outer tubular member 10. In the case of plastic materials shown for one or both of the parts 10-11, the mere application of a suificient force-fit thrust to this interference-fit at 1617, will accomplish the desired insertion to the point of registery with the groove 14, at which point the projection 16 will snap into home-position and will retain permanent assembly. Of course, prior to making this force-fit, the carrier assembly 12 must, in turn, be assembled through the tail-end of the inner tubular member 11. Thus assembled, the tail or rod 22 is inserted in the bore of the stem 23 and the force-fit may proceed. Assembly is then complete, ready to receive cosmetic substance in the open end of the cup 12.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the closure cap 13 has an interlocking relation with the outer tubular member 10 when in closed position, thus assuring that there will be no access in the relatively rotatable parts while the container is closed. Moreover, it has been explained that placement of the closure cap 13 establishes a light frictional engagement with the upper ends of the friction ridges 18. Thus, any danger of a loaded carrier being displaced, as through vibration in shipment, is voided.

In the form shown, the nature of the locked engagement between closure gap 13 and the outer tubular member 10 involves keyed engagement at a short region of axial overlap. This region may occur at the open end of an enlarged band 25 formed centrally of the overall assembly and being an integral part of the open end of the outer tubular member 10. A counterbore within the band 25 is identified at 26 (FIG. 3) and is characterized by plural angularly spaced radially inward ribs 27 defining key slots 28 therebetween; slots 28 are available for reception of one or more ribs or ridges 29 formed as discontinuities in a reduced section or skirt 30 at the open end of the closure cap 13. By making the spacing of ribs 29 uniform, and by making the number of slots 28 an integer-multiple of the number of ribs 29, it will be understood that plural available locked relationships may be achieved without requiring anything near the plurality of ribs 29 as there are slots 28. Alternatively, of course, if the provision of a large number of ribs 29 is of some consequence to the ultimate appearance, then the plurality of ribs 29 may match that of the slots 28.

It will be seen that I have described an improved container construction in which the advantages of propelrepel action are retained but without adding any parts to the necessary overall structure. Thus, all parts may be injection-molded, preferably of plastics having some inherent self-lubricity, so that all relative motion, be it longitudinal motion or rotation, may be silken in its action, and radial play may be avoided; the natural grasp of the hand on both members 1011 assures steady projection of a lipstick while in use.

At the same time, the outer tubular member 10 and also the main outer tubular casing of the closure cap 13 may be smoothly cylindrical and of uniform thickness, for most ready adaptability to varied finishing steps, as for example the die-stamping of intaglio or relief designs. Most importantly, only four molded-plastic parts are involved in the basic structure, and secondary operations are unnecessary to complete the assembly.

Although the invention has been described in connection with preferred forms and methods, it will be understood that modifications may be made Without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. An elongated tubular cosmetic container, comprising relatively rotatable inner and outer tubular members and a carrier guided for longitudinal displacement within the inner tubular member upon relative rotation of said members, said outer member being open at one end and closed at the other and said inner member extending outwardly beyond its overlap with said outer member, coacting axial-locating elements on said inner tubular member and near the open end of said outer tubular member for rotatably retaining the axial relationship of said tubular members, elongated cam and follower means coacting between said members and said carrier for effecting said longitudinal displacement; said last-defined means including first elements engaging said carrier directly to the closed end of said outer tubular member throughout the range of carrier propulsion, and second elements engaging said carrier directly to the inner wall of said inner tubular member throughout the range of carrier propulsion, whereby the substantial length of the bore of said outer tubular member may be smooth and continuously cylindrical to receive a backing tool for reaction to the thrust of an external die for impressing a desired finish contour on the outer wall of said outer tubular member.

2. A container according to claim 1, in which said second elements comprise axially telescoping engaged stems respectively carried by the bottom of said carrier and by the bottom of said outer tubular member.

3. A container according to claim 2, in which said second elements are keyed against relative rotation.

4. A container in accordance with claim 2, in which the stem carried by the bottom of said outer member is tubular and the stem carried by the bottom of said carrier is a rod received in said tubular stem.

5. A container in accordance with claim 1, in which said first elements comprise a helical guide in the bore of said inner tubular member and a follower on said carrier tracking said guide.

6. A container in accordance with claim 1, in which the outer surface of said inner tubular member includes angularly spaced elongated friction ridges in light frictional engagement with the bore of said outer tubular member at the region of overlap therewith.

7. A container in accordance with claim 6, in which said ridges extend axially beyond the open end of said outer tubular member, and a closure cap with a bore having an interference-fit relation with said ridges upon placement over the open end of said container.

8. A container in accordance with claim 1, and including a closure cap removably applicable over the open end of said container, and key means engaging said cap and said outer tubular member against relative rotation when said cap closes the container.

9. A container in accordance with claim 8, in which said cap and outer tubular member have limited telescoping overlap at closure, with said key means engaging at said last-mentioned overlap.

10. A container in accordance with claim 8, in which said key means comprises plural key-flute formations in the bore of said outer tubular member at the open end thereof, and in which a key projection on the lip of said cap is engageable with any one of said flute formations upon cap closure.

11. An elongated tubular cosmetic container, comprising relatively rotatable tubular cylindrical members and a carrier guided for longitudinal displacement within the inner tubular member upon relative rotation of said members, said outer member being open at one end and closed at the other and said inner tubular member extending outwardly beyond its overlap with said outer member, the bore of said outer tubular member being smoothly cylindrical with a radial groove axially inwardly spaced from and near the open end, radially outwardly projecting means at the lower end of said inner tubular member and in axial-locating relation with said groove, and cam and follower means fully contained within said inner tubular member and coacting between said carrier and said members to selectively propel and repel said carrier upon relative rotation of said members, said lastdefined means including a referencing connection to the closed end of said outer tubular member and being free of engagement with that extended part of the bore of said outer tubular member which is axially inwardly of the location of said grove.

12. A container in accordance with claim 11, in which one of said tubular members is of material having limited elastic distortion properties, the effective radial limit of said projecting means being such as to interfere with the bore of said outer tubular member but to be insertable therein upon application of axial force, whereby said projecting means and said groove will have snap-engaging relation to hold said tubular members in rotatable and axially retained relation.

13. A container in accordance with claim 12, in which said projecting means is peripherally continuous about said inner tubular member.

14. A container in accordance with claim 12, in which the inner lip of the open end of the bore of said outer tubular member is beveled to facilitate inserted engagement of said tubular members for force-fitting.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,419,526 4/ 1947 Anderson 401-86 X 2,442,109 5/ 1948 Anderson l74 2,506,984- 5/1950 Anderson 40l75 X 2,563,943 8/1951 Kruck 401-76 X 3,308,939 3/1967 Sakalys 401-78 3,216,563 11/1965 Finkenzeller 40l76 FOREIGN PATENTS 603,942 8/1960 Canada.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

